Munster and Ulster are in action tonight and both provinces will field players who will want to show Schmidt that they are ready to make their mark on this year’s championship.

Most eyes will be on the return to action of Iain Henderson in Ulster’s meeting with the Ospreys (7.35pm). Henderson wasn’t expected to be ready to return at Test level until the last week or two of the Six Nations, when Ireland play France and Wales.

But if he hits the ground running in his first outing in five weeks, he could come into contention for the Rome trip as lineout leader Devin Toner is out for the remainder of the championship and it is uncertain if Tadhg Beirne will return.

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In terms of second row options alongside James Ryan, Quinn Roux came off the bench against England for Toner and then made his first Six Nations start in a solid showing in the win over Scotland.

Clearly, however, Schmidt would love to have the experienced Henderson (right) available as soon as possible after recent thumb and finger injuries.

Also for Ulster, John Cooney will start at scrum-half after coming off the bench against England and Scotland, while Jordi Murphy will also play in the back row after failing to feature so far in the Six Nations.